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Culture - GCSE Sociology Definition

Reviewed by: Raj Bonsor

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Culture refers to the shared beliefs, behaviours, norms, values, and symbols that shape the way of life for a group of people. It encompasses everything from language, religion, and history to customs, traditions, and social practices that are passed down through generations.

In GCSE Sociology, understanding culture involves exploring how these elements influence individual identities and social interactions, as well as examining how culture contributes to the cohesion and conflicts within societies. Culture is not static; it evolves with time and can differ greatly between different societies or even within subgroups of the same society.

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Raj Bonsor

Reviewer: Raj Bonsor

Expertise: Psychology & Sociology Content Creator

Raj joined Save My Exams in 2024 as a Senior Content Creator for Psychology & Sociology. Prior to this, she spent fifteen years in the classroom, teaching hundreds of GCSE and A Level students. She has experience as Subject Leader for Psychology and Sociology, and her favourite topics to teach are research methods (especially inferential statistics!) and attachment. She has also successfully taught a number of Level 3 subjects, including criminology, health & social care, and citizenship.

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